A novel one-concentration method for improved multi-angle laser light scattering

A novel data interpretation method is presented which is derived from weigh ted least squares analysis. Given the steep dependence of the Rayleigh fact or on concentration, a Zimm-plot based regression of weight average molar m ass and the RMS radius of gyration is strongly influenced by data over an o ptimum concentration range, which can be quite narrow for some polymer-solv ent combinations. The "one-concentration method" exploits this sensibility to improve the precision in molar mass and radius of gyration measurements to +/-4%. The theoretical prediction of the optimum concentration is includ ed. The one-concentration method is applied to polymers in organic solvents as well as to water-soluble polyelectrolytes.